How to set up an ergonomic office: Steps to follow
An office’s design significantly impacts productivity, as it is the heart of any business.
Therefore, it is essential to rethink the office’s structure and setting to enhance employee productivity. This includes the layout of furniture and equipment, the flow between employee spaces, and the overall ambiance.
From selecting the right furniture to adding decorative touches, creating an environment perfect for getting things done can help boost productivity. By incorporating these tips, businesses can create a more efficient and productive work environment for their employees.
So keep reading!
Steps to set up a productive office space
Given below are some ways you can ensure that your new office helps maintain productivity—
1. Ensure proper lighting
Proper lighting is essential for maintaining productivity and focus while working from home.
It’s best to position your desk in the brightest room of your house to take advantage of natural light. Test the desk’s placement near the largest and brightest window.
Poor lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches, fatigue, stress, and other physical and mental health issues. Therefore, to improve your office’s lighting, consider providing access to natural light, which is both bright and uplifting.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, employees who sit near a window tend to sleep better than those who don’t.
However, if natural light isn’t an option, consider installing indirect lighting that is still bright but doesn’t cause eye strain. Providing access to natural light can help boost employee happiness and productivity.
2. Install ergonomic furniture
Having ergonomic furniture in the office is crucial for improving posture, reducing fatigue, and making it easier to use office equipment.
Additionally, it promotes employee well-being by reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
However, poor desk ergonomics can lead to negative health effects such as the following:
- Vision problems.
- Back and neck pain.
- Wrist and hand pain.
- Shoulder pain.
Therefore, to create an ergonomic office, it’s important to choose a chair with ample back support and add pillows if necessary. You can find some of the best ergonomic furniture for your office from GBP Direct. They can handle all your requirements and deliver products that suit your company best.
Moreover, position the monitor levels with the top edge of the monitor at arm’s length away from your body.
Adjusting your working area to fit your body and needs can prevent health issues and create a comfortable and enjoyable space.
3. Control the noises
Noise is a pervasive issue in modern offices, particularly in open-plan workspaces. Studies have shown that excessive noise levels can lead to various negative outcomes. Some of these impacts include the following:
- Decreased productivity.
- Increased illness rates.
- Heightened stress levels.
- Reduced job satisfaction.
- Improved morale.
Therefore, to combat this problem, many companies are turning to sound masking systems. These systems emit carefully engineered noise that effectively masks unwanted sounds, including speech.
Moreover, they can reduce noise levels and create a more comfortable and productive work environment.
However, a full sound masking system is not feasible. In that case, providing noise-canceling headphones can be a useful alternative. It helps employees block out unwanted noise and stay focused on their work.
4. Use technology
The use of technology has significantly improved workplace productivity. It helps enhance communication, enabling quick responses and informing everyone about tasks.
Given below are the different types of online platforms that you must use to ensure higher productivity in your office:
- Communication platforms like Slack and group chat applications provide immediate answers and ensure access to necessary information.
- Moreover, project management software is convenient for both in-office and remote teams.
- With time-tracking software, you can monitor productivity reports and identify areas for improvement.
- Cloud-based applications like Google Drive allow easy file uploading, downloading, and sharing.
- PowerGistics solutions ensure that investments are available when needed.
- Password management tools help employees access password-protected files.
Therefore, technology promotes collaboration through note-taking technology and virtual meetings. Implementing collaborative technology in daily operations increases productivity and motivation for employees.
5. Employ commercial cleaners
Maintaining high productivity in a new office requires a clean and decluttered environment. It is crucial to ensure that every nook and cranny of the office remains spotless, from the washrooms and kitchens to the workstations and recreation halls.
Therefore, hiring an efficient commercial cleaner who can provide highly professional services is essential to achieve this.
These services guarantee a clean, decluttered, and hygienic workplace where employees can work without worries.
Moreover, a commercial cleaner will clean the floors and surfaces and care for the carpets, windows, and upholstery.
They will use specialized equipment and cleaning products to ensure that every inch of the office is free from dust, dirt, and germs.
Additionally, they will dispose of the waste and recyclables in an environmentally friendly manner.
Therefore, hiring a commercial cleaner ensures a clean and healthy workplace, increasing productivity and a better work environment.